Author(s): Herman Gerritsen; Sharon Tatman; Wouter Dirks; Gerard Hesselmans; Hein Noorbergen
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Dredging; Turbidity; Environmental impact; Remote sensing; Plume modelling; Operational information system
Abstract: The present paper addresses the feasibility of a new method for synoptic monitoring of turbidity represented by Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The method aims at optimising information from operational dredging data, remote sensing data, water quality modelling of sediment transport and in-situ data by means of new data-model integration (DMI) techniques. As a feasibility test case, Penny’s Bay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was selected. Using model simulations, archived optical remote sensing (SeaWiFS and Landsat) and in-situ data, the background TSS levels are determined. Separately, the extent and concentration of dredging / disposal plumes is modelled using a particle tracking model. A new flexible input editor is presented to translate the relevant operational dredging data into consistent model information. An outline is given how remote sensing imagery and in-situ data can be assimilated to optimise the model nowcasts and so improve short period forecasting of the plume behaviour by the model. The results show that the Penny’s Bay feasibility experiment was a realistic test case to assess the suspended sediment (TSS) information that can be derived from in-situ data, remote sensing imagery and water quality and plume modelling. The prototype GUI of the Dredging Information System realised in this project has shown to be an effective tool, suited to streamlining the preparation of model input by field engineers and for avoiding common input errors.
Year: 2005